from the pastor - irving park lutheran church - home · mr. stockwell’s daughter, susan wojtaszek...
TRANSCRIPT
TIDINGS from Irving Park Lutheran Church February, 2012
the 39th volume, chapter 2
FROM THE PASTOR
I was recently reading an article about true happiness. The author
was noting the multiple times a day that we witness faux-happiness, the
primary culprit in advertising. We witness people selling window
cleaner and scrubbing their windows with light-bulb bright smiles on
their faces. We see people trying a new cake-mix and eating said cake as
if it is the best dessert they have ever tasted. We are sold a fake vision of
a happy life- where families delight over cleaning the windows and each
meal is a gourmet banquet.
Of course, we recognize that happiness can’t be found in the
relentless search for faux-happiness outside of ourselves. In my own
search for happiness I am certain that window cleaner wouldn’t be on the
top of the list, but none of us are immune to the attempts to settle for faux
-happiness rather than the real stuff.
True happiness, the author suggested, is found when we learn
how to be present in the moment, not searching for the next big thing, but
mindful of our lives as they are lived right now. True happiness is not in
the search to satisfy ourselves, but in the work of being satisfied as life is
lived in this place, recognizing the blessings of God around us all the
time.
As we look forward to the beginning of the season of Lent, we
don’t usually associate these five weeks in the church as weeks of
happiness. We bury the Alleluia, we are penitent and contemplative. We
begin worship by paying special attention to confession. But, in Lent, we
also slow down; spend more time in silence and prayer. These are the
practices that help us to be more present in the moment, to recognize the
happiness that is found in life as it unfolds in each minute of the day.
Lent is not a time of sadness, but a time of contemplation, that we might
recognize God’s presence around us all the time.
I invite you to make time in the weeks of Lent to join us for
midweek worship. We will observe Ash Wednesday on February 22nd at
7:30pm. We will gather for a simple meal at 6:30, and worship together
at 7:30 every Wednesday evening beginning on February 29th and
continuing for five weeks. Consider these weeks as an invitation to seek
the real happiness that is found in God’s presence.
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Brooke Petersen
Phone: 773.267.1666
Fax: 773.267.6707
Rev. Brooke Petersen, Pastor
IPLC Office
SERVICE SCHEDULE
Sunday
9:00 am Worship in the Chapel
9:00 am Adult Ed and Sunday School
10:30 am Worship in the Sanctuary
Ash Wednesday, February 22nd
STAFF
Dawn Benson Church Secretary/Bookkeeper
Roger Bingaman Dir. Of Music/Office Manager/Tidings
Editor [email protected]
Lynette Schroeter Volunteer Sunday School Superintendent
Dwan Buetow Mid-week Worship Coordinator
Chris Richard
Director of Ensemble
Dawn Benson & Phil Bole Custodians: [email protected]
CONGREGATIONAL COUNCIL
Bruce Anderson Dawn Benson
Phil Bole Paul Clausen
Pat Desecki Jan Glure
David Hall Sharon Iverson
Ginia Jahrke Eleanor Kepp
Holly Lundquist David McKenzie
Kylie Nieves Sandra Stumme
John Van Essen Darcie Wadycki
Cory Wojtkiewicz
COUNCIL PERSON EMERITUS
Lloyd DaMask Gordon Johnson
Richard Wielock
2
RETURN TO SENDER LENTEN SUPPERS
The “Return to Sender” program had another success in
December when letter writer George F. Stockwell’s family
contacted IPLC and became the 119th family to receive World
War II letters.
Mr. Stockwell’s daughter, Susan Wojtaszek of Alvarado,
Texas, wrote a very nice thank-you note, calling it “a
wonderful Christmas gift,” especially since her father passed
away 44 years ago.
Mrs. Wojtaszek said her father “was a very thoughtful
man. He loved Christmas and all the holidays. He always
remembered us on Valentine’s Day with a box of candy or
something. … His last job was with the Milwaukee Road RR.
He left there when he started having heart problems and died
in 1968.”
Mr. Stockwell wrote a thank-you letter to Pastor Joshua
Oden on Dec. 29, 1942, while he was working as a military
police detective at Camp Forrest in Tennessee. The church had
sent a small monetary gift to every member or relative of a
member of IPLC who was serving in the military during
Christmastime in 1942.
“It makes one feel good to know the people back home
still think about you,” Cpl. Stockwell wrote. “I spent the
money the good people of your church sent to buy a pair of
dress gloves. I also want to thank you for the little (prayer)
booklets that you have sent. I read them every time I have a
few spare moments.”
Cpl. Stockwell married Lorraine Hammar on Oct. 17,
1941. Lorraine attended IPLC with her mother, Elizabeth
Hammond Hammar.
Otto and Elizabeth Hammar were listed in the 1938 IPLC
directory as living at 3842 N. Springfield. The house at 3842
was one of many that were demolished late in the 1950s to
make way for the Northwest (later renamed Kennedy)
Expressway. Actually, the first house on that side of
Springfield that “made the cut” was 3850 N. Springfield, the
home of longtime IPLC members Fred and Eleanor Brink.
Their son, Chris, still lives at 3850.
--Ralph Greenslade
2
During Jesus’ time in the wilderness after his baptism, Satan
tempted him to do three things. Which of the following was
not one of the temptations?
A. To change water into wine so wedding guests would
know he was God’s Son
B. To throw himself
down from the
top of the temple,
expecting angels
to save him
C. To turn stones into
bread to satisfy
his hunger
D. To worship Satan
in order to gain
all the world’s
kingdoms
BIBLE QUIZ
Answer: A (See Matthew 4:1-11 and Luke 4:1-13.)
MAGIC MUSHROOM NEEDS YOU!
We are currently looking for a qualified person to serve at the
On-Site Coordinator for Magic Mushroom 2012. The On-Site
Coordinator would need to be available from 8:30am-12:30pm
on all programming days from July 9th-August 2nd. If
interested, please contact the church office.
Each year, IPLC hosts midweek supped on Wednesday
evenings during the season of Lent. This year, we will work to
support the ELCA miss on World Hunger by spotlighting
various countries, cultures and people in need. This year’s
suppers will consist of a cultural dish, a short prayer, and a
story of an individual in need. There will be place mats and
table tents on each table representing the featured country.
There are twelve conuntries to choose from. We ask our hosts
to support this year’s efforts. You mad do so by going to
www.elca.org/hunger/lent, or by contacting Dwan Buetow.
Perhaps you have asked yourself what can you do, feed a
nation of people? Here are a few suggestions:
Bring a non perishable item to Lenten supper
Donate on line: www.elca.org/hunger/lent
Donate during regular worship
and/or at the Lenten suppers
Financial support is critical! Spread the word! Www.elca.org
We are happy to say that there are only 2 weeks that are yet to
be filled for the 5 weeks of suppers. There are March 7 and
March 21. To host a supper, or to feature a country for you
supper date, call or email Dwan at 773.430.0336 or
[email protected]. Together we can feed a nation!
3
IRVING PARK FINE ARTS COMMITTEE PRESENTS
THE AVANTI GUITAR TRIO 2/26/12
The Irving Park Fine Arts Committee is pleased to present
The Avanti Guitar Trio on Sunday, February 26th at 2:00 p.m.
Rooted in the classical guitar tradition, the Avanti Guitar Trio
performs an eclectic variety of music including works from the
Renaissance through Romantic eras, music from Spain and
Latin America and arrangements of folk and pop tunes. They
also perform contemporary compositions that make use of
improvisation, effects pedals and electronics. The trio is
comprised of Thomas Clippert, Julie Goldberg and Jeffrey
Silva.
Based in Chicago, AGT has performed in traditional and
non-traditional concert venues throughout the Midwest. Their
performances in concert halls, clubs, libraries, churches,
historic homes, and colleges have received rave reviews.
Passionate about new music, Avanti Guitar Trio collaborated
with members of the Chicago Composers Consortium and
premiered works written for and dedicated to the AGT,
including compositions by Julia Miller, Martha Carlson-Horst,
Tiffany Sevilla, and Timothy Edwards.
Avanti Trio members graduated from some of the
country’s most prestigious conservatories and universities.
Each has performed as a soloist throughout the country and all
are currently teaching at Chicago area universities.
The concert will be held at Irving Park Lutheran Church,
4100 N. Harding Ave., Chicago. A reception with the artists
follows the concert. Admission is free, but free-will donations
will be accepted.
The final concert of the season will feature cellist Dorothy
Deen accompanied by pianist Roger L. Bingaman on Sunday,
April 29th at 2:00 p.m. Please note that artists and concert
dates are subject to change.
The Irving Park Fine Arts Series, now in its 18th season,
was begun by Bingaman, Director of Music at Irving Park
Lutheran Church. The intent of the series is to bring high
quality, professional musical and theatrical events to the Irving
Park neighborhood. The Irving Park Fine Arts Committee
receives funding from Carlson Community Services, a
community service 501c3. The mission of Carlson is to serve
the community with a variety of outreach efforts, including
fine arts. For more information, contact Roger Bingaman at
773.267.1667, or visit www.carlsoncommunityservices.org.
CHILI SUPPER TO BENEFIT THE THREE
BROTHERS GARDEN, SUNDAY, MARCH 11TH
The Fourth Annual Chili Supper to benefit the Three
Brother Garden will be held Sunday, March 11th from 5:00 to
7:00 p.m. at the IPLC Gymnasium, 4057 N. Harding Ave. The
menu will feature beef and vegetarian chili, corn bread, salad,
hot dogs and a condiment bar. A kids craft room, cake walk
and raffle will add to the fun!
All funds raised at the supper will be used to plant and
maintain the Three Brothers Garden, an organic community
vegetable garden. Produce grown in the garden is donated to
the Irving Park Community Food Pantry. Since 2009, nearly
2,100 pounds of vegetables have been distributed to pantry
clients. Located at 4107 N. Pulaski Rd., the garden is a
partnership between Carlson Community Services and Irving
Park Lutheran Church.
If you’d like to learn more about the project, volunteer to
help at the Chili Supper or donate a raffle item or baked good,
please contact Liz Mills at 773.398.6766 or
[email protected]. For information
about Carlson Community Services, go to
www.carlsoncommunityservices.org.
All over this magnificent world, God calls us to extend his
kingdom of shalom-peace and wholeness — of justice, of
goodness, of compassion, of caring, of sharing, of laughter, of
joy, of reconciliation. God is transfiguring the world right this
very moment through us because God believes in us and
because God loves us.
What can separate us from the love of God? Nothing.
Absolutely nothing. And as we share God’s love with our
brothers and sisters, God’s other children, there is no tyrant
who can resist us, no opposition that cannot be ended, no
hunger that cannot be fed, no wound that cannot be healed, no
hatred that cannot be turned into love, no dream that cannot be
fulfilled.
—Desmond Tutu, God Has a Dream
Every February 14, we celebrate the loved ones in our
lives with cards, flowers and chocolate. But Valentine’s Day
has another meaning that’s been lost.
First declared a holiday by King Henry VIII of England in
1537, it commemorates the beheading of St. Valentine on
February 14, 270 A.D. His crime? Performing wedding
ceremonies after Roman Emperor Claudius II had outlawed
marriage.
Valentine was martyred for faithfully doing the work God
had given him. Although it’s good to celebrate love and
marriage, let’s also remember the courage of a man who gave
his life following his convictions. The Avanti Guitar Trio
TRANSFIGURATION
CARLSON COMMUNITY SERVICES
ST. VALENTINE’S SACRIFICE
For decades, Betty Fridlund was one of the favorite
Sunday School teachers at Irving Park Lutheran. Even today,
when Miss Fridlund speaks, her students always listen.
Betty called the Historically Speaking hotline a few weeks
ago with an interesting IPLC history question that certainly
needed an answer.
“Over the years, I’ve heard different stories about the
mural behind our altar,” Betty said. “Some say it’s the road to
Damascus, while others say it’s the road to Jerusalem. I know
the painting was based on a photo that Pastor Joshua Oden
brought back with him from the Holy Land back in the 1920s,
but it would be nice to know once and for all.”
Well, here’s one former student’s best effort to unearth a
few facts about the beginning of the IPLC mural 90 years ago
this month:
There are stories in the Bible that detail how a Pharisee
named Saul “intensely persecuted” the followers of Jesus. One
day, after Jesus was crucified and Saul was on the “Road to Damascus,” Saul literally saw the light, changed his name to
Paul, and became a follower of Jesus.
While that story may be part of the inspiration for our
HISTORICALLY SPEAKING
4
mural, it still leaves the question of what exactly are we
looking at when we sit in our favorite pew in church?
Back in 1922, Pastor Oden went on a five-month cruise/
tour of the Holy Land and Europe. For those of you keeping
score at home, Pastor Oden’s replacements in the pulpit were
Dr. Gustav Andreen (February), Dr. L.G. Abrahamson
(March), Dr. Adolf Hult (April), the Rev. Prof. S.J. Sebelius
(May) and Rev. Emil F. Bergren (June).
During his journey, Pastor Oden would send brief
messages to the congregation that would be printed in the
Sunday Bulletin. In the Bulletin of Sunday, Feb. 19, 1922,
Pastor Oden sent this message from Damascus to the
“Brotherhood,” the men’s group at IPLC:
“Dear Brotherhood: I wish that I could take you men with
me this afternoon and we would take a walk through this, the
oldest city in the world and find the straight street where
Ananias lived, and live again the experience of a Saul. God
bless you men as you gather for your Washington’s birthday
festival.”
Our current church building opened its doors in 1917. For
the first five years, the wall behind our altar was all white.
Here’s the story of how our mural came to be, in the words of
Pastor Oden (who doubled as the editor of the Tidings), taken
from the Bulletin of Sunday, Nov. 12, 1922:
“After a period of five years, our church has now been
decorated. During this time we felt that the church itself was
so beautiful in its all white color that it was hardly necessary to
try to cover its walls with decorations. However, the
congregation instructed its board a year ago to make
arrangements for this decoration. ... The work has been done
by the Arthur Gelden Company. The chancel has been painted
by Mr. Max Herzog, an artist of the city who has been
The beautiful mural in 2012.
Here’s how the front of the church looked 90 years ago before the mural was painted in the fall of 1922.
5
This number appears many times in
Scripture, often indicating a time of trial
or testing, or simply marking something
significant. It rained 40 days and nights
during the Great Flood. Israel wandered
in the wilderness for 40 years. Jesus
fasted for 40 days and was with the
disciples for 40 days between his resurrection and ascension.
Taking this symbolic number to heart, the Christian church has
long observed 40 days of Lent (not counting Sundays).
CHRISTIAN SYMBOLS
Another painting done by Max Herzog, the artist of the IPLC mural.
employed in just work of this kind for many years. The scene
is one which Pastor bought with him from Jerusalem, and
portrays a part of Mt. Olivet and the road leading up to it as
well as a part of the walls of Jerusalem. We hope that you will
like it and that you will enjoy the peaceful atmosphere which
we have tried to create by these decorations.”
How did Herzog, who lived from 1889-1962, end up
painting the mural at IPLC when he was 33 years old? Who
knows, but Miss Fridlund said she had heard that Herzog was
somehow related to or knew the family of Carl Sandell, one of
the longtime families at IPLC.
By the way, Herzog’s artwork is still in demand. We
found a few of his pieces of art went up for auction as recently
as 2008.
The mural has been retouched many times over its 89-plus
years of existence. Miss Fridlund said one artist even added a
few trees that were not native to the Mideast.
Take a look at the mural the next time you’re in church.
The most recent restoration team added a nice touch by adding
a few clouds in the reflection of the pond near the sheep at the
side of the road. Somehow, they forgot to add the clouds to the
sky on a beautiful clear day.
So, remember, it’s the road to Jerusalem, not Damascus.
But, then again, the artist/photographer could have been on the
road to Damascus from Jerusalem and simply turned around to
chronicle the beautiful scenery!
--Ralph Greenslade
LEARNING FROM PETER’S MISTAKES
In Mark 9:2-10, Jesus takes three disciples up a mountain,
where his clothes become dazzling white and Moses and Elijah
speak with him. Terrified, Peter starts babbling. He offers to
construct three “dwellings” — presumably, worship structures.
But Peter makes two common mistakes.
First, he fails to treat Jesus as the unique object of worship.
Just as Peter would have worshiped Moses and Elijah along-
side Jesus, we sometimes act as though money, work, another
person or even church and Scripture are coequal with Christ.
Obviously, family and friends are important, but Jesus is the
only Son of God. The church and the Bible, though worthy of
devotion, are only vehicles that bring us to Christ.
Second, Peter would have stayed on that mountain indefi-
nitely. Spiritual highs are tempting that way. We resist going
back “down” to daily life. Ecstatic glimpses of Jesus’ glory are
one way God strengthens us to continue serving in Christ’s
name.
REFOCUS FOR LENT
Give up complaining — focus on gratitude.
Give up harsh judgments — think kind thoughts.
Give up worry — trust God to provide.
Give up discouragement — be full of hope.
Give up bitterness — turn to forgiveness.
Give up hatred — return good for evil.
Give up anger — be more patient.
Give up pettiness — become mature.
Give up jealousy — pray for trust.
Give up gossiping — control your tongue.
Give up sin — turn to virtue.
Give up giving up — persevere.
—Author unknown
Febru
ary
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1
10 Jammin’ with
Julie
9:30 Jazzercize
10:30 Bible Study
3-6 MAP
4:00 Drama Club
7:00 Girl Scouts,
Bells,
8:00 Chancel
2
3-6 MAP
7:00 Jazzercize
3
9:30 Jazzercize
3-6 MAP
8:00 AA
9:00 Men’s
Volleyball
4
9:00 Confirmation
10:30 Basketball
12:00 Women’s
Volleyball
5
3:00 Swedish
Cultural
4:00 Venice Effects
6
9:30 Jazzercize
3-6 MAP
7:00 Boy Scouts
7
3-6 MAP
7:00 Boy Scouts
8:00 Basketball
8
10 Jammin’ with
Julie
9:30 Jazzercize
10:30 Bible Study
3-6 MAP
4:00 Drama Club
7:00 Girl Scouts,
Bells,
8:00 Chancel
9
3-6 MAP
7:00 Jazzercize
10
9:30 Jazzercize
3-6 MAP
8:00 AA
9:00 Men’s
Volleyball
11
10:00 Fine Arts
10:30 Basketball
12:00 Women’s
Volleyball
12
4:00 Venice Effects
13
9:30 Jazzercize
3-6 MAP
7:00 Boy Scouts
7:00 Council
14
3-6 MAP
7:00 Boy Scouts
8:00 Basketball
15
10 Jammin’ with
Julie
9:30 Jazzercize
10:30 Bible Study
3-6 MAP
4:00 Drama Club
7:00 Girl Scouts,
Bells,
8:00 Chancel
16
3-6 MAP
7:00 Jazzercize
7:00 Book Club
17
9:30 Jazzercize
3-6 MAP
8:00 AA
9:00 Men’s
Volleyball
18
9:00 Confirmation
10:30 Basketball
12:00 Women’s
Volleyball
19
3:00 Jupiter Lodge
4:00 Venice Effects
20
9:30 Jazzercize
12:30 Miriam
Circle
3-6 MAP
7:00 Boy Scouts
21
3-6 MAP
5:00 Pancake
Supper
7:00 Boy Scouts
22
10 Jammin’ with
Julie
9:30 Jazzercize
3-6 MAP
4:00 Drama Club
7:00 Girl Scouts,
Bells,
7:30 Ash
Wednesday
23
3-6 MAP
7:00 Jazzercize
24
9:30 Jazzercize
3-6 MAP
8:00 AA
9:00 Men’s
Volleyball
25
10:30 Basketball
12:00 Women’s
Volleyball
26
2:00 Fine Arts
4:00 Venice Effects
27
9:30 Jazzercize
3-6 MAP
7:00 Boy Scouts
28
3-6 MAP
6:30 Team Night
7:00 Cub Scouts
8:00 Basketball
29
10 Jammin’ with
Julie
9:30 Jazzercize
3-6 MAP
4:00 Drama Club
6:30 Meal
7:00 Girl Scouts
7:30 Lent Service
Feb. Assisting Minister Communion Asst. Acolytes Counters Lector
5 Dwan Buetow Grace Wielock Emma Van Essen David Hall Boy Scouts
12 David Hall Holly V, Eleanor K.
Sandra S.
Isabella Kiser Eleanor Kepp Rick Reschke
19 Roberta Bole Sue Geisler Gavin Brodersen Jan Glure, Holly
Lundquist
Sharon Iverson
Wed - 22 Eleanor Kepp Gerard Curtis
26 Dawn Benson Holly Van Essen Meline Madsen Bill Sherlock Sharon Iverson, Doris
Peterson
Birthdays 2 Britta Schroeter
2 Debra Wojtkiewicz
4 Eric Richard
5 Kenton Kiser
9 Emily Anderson
13 Lynette Schroeter
18 Olivia Nicks
Anniversaries
2-6-65 John and Karen Frank
2-19-94 Jose and Annette Beltran
19 Elsa Romo
24 Ryan Jennison
24 Valerie Wadycki
25 Riley Driskill
25 Nancy Hall
25 Rachel Rogers
25 Gretchen Siffring
28 Milburn Davis
29 Holly Van Essen
FEBRUARY HIGHLIGHTS
T I D I N G S From Irving Park Lutheran Church
3938 W. Belle Plaine Ave.
Chicago, IL 60618-1997
Address Service Requested
This is a photo of the front altar of IPLC 90 years ago. Our beloved mural was painted in the fall of 1922 by Max Herzog. Read the whole story by Ralph Greenslade on page 4.
African-American History Month
1: 10:30 am Bible Study
5: Boy Scout Sunday
8: 10:30 am Bible Study
13: 7:00 pm Council
14: Valentine’s Day
15: 10:30 am Bible Study
16: 7:00 pm Book Club
19: Transfiguration of Our Lord
20: Presidents Day
12:30 pm Miriam Circle
22: 7:30 pm Ash Wednesday Service
26: First Sunday in Lent
2:00 pm Fine Arts - The Avanti Guitar Trio
29: 6:00 pm Lenten Dinner followed by Worship